The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32) — John Shaqi
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
8. Let us then by our works declare our faith to be the living
Christian faith: and by such virtues as ought to spring out of faith.
_Let us add to, or in our faith, virtue; in our virtue, knowledge;
in our knowledge, temperance; in our temperance, patience; in our
patience, godliness; in our godliness, brotherly-kindness; and in
brotherly-kindness, charity._ So shall we both certify our conscience,
that we are in the right faith, and also confirm other men. If you feel
and perceive such a faith in you, rejoice in it, and be diligent to
maintain it. Let it be daily encreasing more and more by good works;
so shall you be sure that you shall please God, and when his will is,
_receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls_.
9. The _second_ thing that was noted of true faith was, that without
it can no good works be done: _for as the branch cannot bear the
fruit itself_, saith Christ, _except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine; ye are the branches:
he that abideth in me and I in him, he bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing._ And St. _Paul_ proveth that _Enoch_ had
faith, because _he pleased God: for without faith_, saith he, _it is
impossible to please him_.
10. Faith giveth life to the soul: and they are as much dead to God who
want faith, as they are to the world, whose bodies want souls. Without
faith all we do is but dead before God, be it ever so glorious before
man. Even as a picture is but a dead representation of the thing itself;
so are the works of those who have not faith before God. They are
but shadows of good and living things, and not good and living things
indeed: For without faith no work is good before God. We must set no
good works before faith. “Let no man, saith St. _Augustin_, reckon upon
his good works before his faith; for where faith was not, good works
were not. There is one work in which are all good works, that is, faith
which worketh by love. If thou hast this, thou hast the ground of all
good works: without this, thou hast only the shadows of them.”
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